miklin

honestly tuned out for about an hr to watch an old CSI Miami rerun. The game was curing my insomnia. Re the Sportsnet Broadcast-I'm tired of listening to Dave Randorf lisp his way through another game. Are we really that short on broadcast talent? I can only figure he knows where the bodies are buried. The panel-what can I say--it always seems to be made up of backup goalies, 4 th line players and bad coaches. I detect a pattern. Pang has developed brain freeze from his advanced case of chrome domium and did anyone really think he was at a talent level to be brought back from his American gigs?

Carr was great. Got his nose broken early-got a full shield and came back out and kept on hustling. My hearing is just coming back. They set aside one section for us STH's who could attend (bar was closed unfortunately. No 50/50-would have like to have relieved a few kids of their lunch money-lol.) Quite the logistics job by the staff considering the number of buses involved. Unfortunately some kids missed the entire first period and then had to leave with five minutes to go. At least they saw a good game-the last five or so were stinkers

PBP tends to not mention the officials by name. Second game in a row with David Banfield officiating (by himself again). We've had a history with him before. Another official who was hired due to family ties. Back in the AHL might show he was fast tracked too early to the NHL

only in the States, would all three stars in a 3-2 game be from the winning team. One of the few two ref games this year, Chris Ciamaga (affectionately known as Chia Pet & Keith Kaval were officiating. Is it me, or is the AHL no longer giving attendance on game sheets. A friend sent me a cell phone photo and it didn't look terribly busy. It is an extremely noisy arena-all promotion, etc. usually have the amps set on 11

pretty discouraging-I know it's early but I can't blame referee Dave Lewis. He gave us the chances and we continually shot ourselves in the foot. Defense resembled the Keystone Copps running around. PP's useless if you can't win a faceoff. Once again, San Antoinio coach giving his guys hell with a two goal lead while Sly stands there like Budha. I worry too that the place is badly overstaffed for crowds of 2500. The ushers can be pleasant as possible to enhance the game experience but there is no getting away from the fact the local parking lots have gone from $5.00 to $10.00 in one season, the $5.00 program is poor, the food overpriced, and the team 50/50 is now one ticket for $5.00. One ticket used to be $2.00 or three for $5.00. I think this is going to bite them in the behind. A friend who used to look after this for a Jr team said folks don't mind shelling out a twoonie, but will balk at $5.00. Maybe a home win would help-our next home game is a school day one with 10,000 screaming kids-oh joy And the damn water fountains that were removed 7 years ago are still missing. Bottled water conspiracy anyone???

Condon should be suing for non support. D was just plain bad. I won't miss Beaulieu personally. We seem to have penalty problem when referee Jamie Koharski works alone. Pateryn got a roughing penalty, was mugged by three San Antonio players and guess who got the only penalty. Not sure why all the single referee games. Perhaps not enough Talent to go around. Heard the post game show and heard poor Matt running out of voice with each goal call. Interesting that Jason Ward was doing colour. Was there any mention why? Oh well, first regulation loss. BTW-I thought there were supposed to be calls made for these fake head jerks by players to try and get a penalty call. Noticed Mancardi doing it twice tonight and nada from Jamie

I think I knew we were in trouble when we only came out with one goal after dominating the first period. I guess 4 points out of a possible 6 is not bad. Post game show host Anthony Urcioli (sp?) was going on about the attendance (2200 I think) but I wouldn't be surprised if many minor pro and jr teams will be suffering with Rogers flooding the tv market with NHL games. I timed the dry scrape and it was about 7 1/2 minutes with two Zambonis. I guess I am an old phart but really didn't mind ties. The win at any cost philosophy is something that came about within the last 15 years in Hockey and Football to appease a younger crowd I guess. I just think the standings get so skewed with o/t and shoot out extra points. Time to rethink more points for an win in regulation? Saw Don Lever tonight-wish he was coaching still. Not a fan of Sly-using De La Rose on PK seemed odd to me

agree with Don. Was there in our new seats in 125 (away from the groups). I can see the new OT format meaning a lot of games will be settled by breakaways in OT without having to go to a shoot out. I guess that's what the league wants but it's gimmicky for lack of a better word. Dry scrape of the ice seems to take a long time even with two Zambonis. Overall-size of the team has increased greatly. Interesting too how we've gone from a team with a lot of French Canadians to a team with a lot of Mid Western Americans. Once again, two much blue and white in the rink but if it keeps the Dogs solvent, so be it. A lot of new faces-customer service complete change over, Brianne Witty has left the merchandise part of the operation. Aaron the PA announcer unfortunately has turned into a cheerleader comparable to what has happened with CFL stadium announcers. 50/50 has gone from 3 tickets for $5.00 to 1 for $5.00!!! Looking forward to see the Wheeling Nailers play a game or two in Brampton but just a word of warning. Attended two games last year. Brampton ECHL prices are much higher for some odd reason than Hamilton AHL. To get a 25% discount, you must order ahead of time on line. Walk up will cost you around $35.00 for reasonable seats. The seats on the south side at Brampton are wider and more comfortable. Getting back to Hamilton. Expect traffic delays on weeknight games as the bike lobby is awfully strong in Hamilton and the city has taken two out of six lanes out of service for bike lanes on York Blvd. Last night it was backed up into Burlington so went via Dundas (York Blvd), Cootes Drive and Main St. Worked well except I was two feet away from nailing a deer right behind McMaster University. Hwy 6 southbound on to the 403 westbound was also badly backed up.

just praying we don't get Bob Cole doing the broadcasts. At 80, he's like my senile uncle. Tends to describe the game like he's calling radio. Doesn't know when to shut up going to commercials. Also, sickened up here with the talking heads on Sportsnet (yes you Gord Stellick) defending Lucic's poor sportsmanship. Blaming Dale for telling what Lucic said to him. They must be getting discounts at Lucic Vasectomy clinic

kind of sad as the Crunch's first and second goals were deflections off our skates. That's the way the year has gone. Just one correction to the winning Allan Cup goal. Stewart got the assist as he sent it back for (AHL-ECHL vet) Randy Rowe who shot it through a screen (which was mainly Greg Stewart). After the game, Jason Ward, Jay McKee, Nick Smith and Ryan Christie all announced their retirements. Will have to see if second thoughts develop over the summer. Ex Dog Kevin Bolibruck (Edmonton Prospect) was very steady on D also. Back to the Dogs-always hard to explain over 7,000 fans for a nothing game. Also, a few folks a little ticked off that they pulled off the bait and switch re the Jerseys Off our Back contest. For last night, they wore a cheaper jersey (I won one last year-same deal) with no shoulder patches, no Pepsi crest, lighter material, and that's what the contest winner's got, not what was worn during the regular season. To add insult to injury, they mentioned that the jerseys worn during the season would likely be auctioned off during the summer. -other news-I guess you've heard the Calgary is folding their tent in Abbotsford and likely moving to Adirondack. Philly is moving the Phantoms from Adirondack (Saratoga Springs????) to Allentown, PA next year. And next year is the last season for the Ice Caps-even with capacity crowds almost every game, they are losing too much $$$$$ on travel expenses

I thought Nevins and Crisp were fairly impressive-good size. Felt sorry for some Brady Vail Jr A fans who were there and disappointed to find he is injured and finished for the season. Good crowd sort of reinforces my theory about minor league hockey, where with the exception of a few areas, making the playoffs with the travel expenses and inability to get groups attending on short notice, is more of a hit on the balance sheet than a positive financially

great comeback but after some great saves during regulation, Mayer gives up three straight shoot out goals to Rochester which was puzzling. Interesting that the Capt was scratched again. Maybe the last time we've seen Robert Mayer?

I still can't figure out Don why so many single referee games for the last couple months. There was a "plethora" of two man games early in the season. I'd love to find out if a number failed to make the grade and were cut loose. That kind of data never seems to make the Hockey News. I've been to a couple Brampton Beast games lately and noticed that AHL referee David Banfield is now listed as a Central Hockey League official. (Likely works a lot of different leagues) He was notorious in Hamilton for his non calls. (BTW-head of officiating for the Central League is old NHL linesman Leon Stickle. League chief guy is Brian Lewis. Odd considering that two Ontario guys control a nine team league with only one Canadian team)

4-1 e/n by Pateryn (and did we miss Beaulieu-nope-his ego was taking up too much room)

looked up Dean Brown in the dictionary and there is a cross reference to "dull"

Brian-that's why I had posed earlier this month that I thought Beaulieu looked lackadaisical the last month or so. I realize his style of play makes for a lot of noticeable errors but something just isn't right. I'm not sure if his nose is out of joint with Tinordi's call up or what. In an on screen interview at the Copps earlier this season, he came across like a real jerk-like he was doing everyone a favour being back in the Hammer and would be called back up any time now.

one thing I've noticed by attending games at the Ricoh is the home crowd isn't really into it. A lot of Leaf fans who really don't have much of an idea who they're watching. Sad today that the newbie of a referee put away his whistle for the second and third period. The referee Tom Chmielewski is an ECHL call up from Colorado. Kind of sad an inexperienced ref was on his own!

18 shooters - 1 goal - could be the legacy of Julien Brisebois on both teams!!!!

I was complaining before how the power plays and pk's at the Copps in Hamilton are sponsored. In Syracuse the home team goals are sponsored!!!! They have a PA announcer there who is also head cheer leader. One of those guys with a bad voice who growls his announcements thinking that gets fans into the game. I bet he has big ears and his girlfriend is named Minnie.

Dogs win 2-1-Blunden scores shoot out winner in the 9th round

1-1 going into OT

check out St. Pierre's plus/minus-might have something to do with it. And Beaulieu was horrible-he is just plain lackadaisical-look up the word in an illustrated dictionary and it likely has his picture. It's like he just doesn't care. The staged fight 1 second in was bs. You knew something was up when only 4 players plus DD were on the ice for the national anthems. And then Nick starts with 40 & 14. Once again referee Dave Lewis had a lot to do with none calls. Granted the Dogs powerplay was non existent but the lack of obstruction calls are turning into a total joke. Drewiske missed most of the second being sewn up after after a face plant that wasn't called. Sven told Lewis what he thought of a very late hip check and got ten minutes to think about it. Left after the fourth goal and Derek Wills was having to bite his tongue re the officiating. There was way too much Alphonse and Gaston between the two (yes two) referees who seemed to wait for the other to make a call which didn't happen. . I rest my case on the Dogs loss record when Lewis officiates-it's more than coincidence

I think you nailed it Don. Game would have been much more lopsided had DD (and I don't mean DD #4) not come up big. Still trying to figure out if it was Beaulieu that cleared the puck out in front of his own net allowing OC to tie. I honestly enjoy the post game show with Matt much more than the statistics laden one that Wills used to do and he seems to be able to get thru to the dressing room, something the regular broadcast crew had trouble with. Mike Condon is still in town and must wonder what his future is. Andrighetto really laid into Archobello late in the game and had the OC bench after him.

right Don-

Jordon Southorn released from his PTO today (March 6)